Three more illnesses have been added to the Agent Orange service-connected presumption rule list. Added are B cell leukemias (such as hairy cell leukemia); Parkinson’s disease; and ischemic heart disease. For the complete list of illnesses and related information check out our post on the Financial Frontlines blog.
A law was passed last June to pay Stop-Loss members $500 per month of back pay since 2001 for their extended service time. Looks like 21 October is the date the program will be implemented. Stop-Loss members have one year to make an application. See our Financial Frontline blog for more info and to keep up with the latest developments as they occur.
If you are a combat veteran, this applies to you. The VA is increasing the Priority Group ranking of some combat veterans and providing refunds of some medical payments paid by vets for the treatment of their combat related issues.
Download a detailed presentation on the tips, traps, and strategies for maximizing your benefits and putting more money in your pocket.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill is open for business on Aug. 1. Get the low down on the program, sign up as a military member, or sign up for the ability to transfer the benefit to family members, if eligible. There are many details to learn so get a head start here.
Calls are rolling in about how the proposed Chapter 61 CRDP legislation will enhance members’ pocketbooks. First off, nothing is official yet. Second, it may not benefit you. Find out more now.
The VA is making one-time payments of $250 to eligible veterans and survivors to offset the effects of the current economy. The VA estimates $500 million in payments will be made to approximately 1.9 million veterans and eligible beneficiaries as part of this measure.
If you served under stop-loss orders between Sept. 10, 2001, and Sept. 30, 2008, you are eligible for retroactive stop-loss pay. The program, signed into law June 24, will provide a $500 per month payment to servicemembers held on active duty due to stop-loss orders.
As of June 1, voluntary separation incentive, special separation benefit, and other separation payment deductions have been stopped. While the suspension is not permanent, it will be in effect pending legal and policy reviews at DoD.
The “Making Work Pay Tax Credit” passed in law a few months ago reduced the tax withholding deducted from your retired pay. The catch is, your military retired pay doesn’t qualify for the tax reduction. Find out what is going on and what to do about it.
As of May 1, the VA began processing applications for Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Did you know you can submit your entire application online? Once submitted, you’ll receive a letter explaining the VA’s decision about your eligibility.
We know military benefits are confusing. Okay, really confusing. Hundreds of members contact our experts each month asking questions on topics ranging from the stimulus package to military retired pay. Review three of the most frequently asked questions here, and get the answers you need!
A recent system upgrade has made it possible for military identification (ID) card offices to issue indefinite ID cards for permanently incapacitated children of active duty and retired servicemembers.
The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) is alerting members of the military community about copycat and look-alike Web sites that might mislead people into thinking they are accessing the myPay Web site. While these Web sites may be legitimate, they are not affiliated with DFAS and myPay in any way.
The Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008, signed into law on June 17, 2008, changed the federal income tax filing deadlines and the length of the look-back period for amended tax returns when retirees are affected by a retroactive VA disability compensation determination.
